Any other 'PCSO issues' that do not fit in to the other forums. Recruitment of PCSOs, day to day PCSO duties, questions about law, joining the regular police, becoming a special, anything else remotely PCSO orientated!!

[ external image ]RACHEL BLUNDY 4 DEC 2014The manager of a popular north London restaurant has hit out at a council which has hired private security guards to patrol the streets in the run up to Christmas.
Business owners in Islington have been ordered to pay a levy to fund private security contractors to patrol Upper Street to help deal with drunks.

The charge, which came into force last month, costs businesses that serve alcohol after midnight between £300 and £4,000 per year. The amount collected from bars and restaurants adds up to about £400,000 annually.
About half of the cash is being used to pay for a specialist security team of 20 guards to deal with drunken revellers on the street at weekends.

The guards also patrol Farringdon and Highbury Corner as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

Pete Crozier-Clucas, manager at Zilouf's restaurant, said businesses should be responsible for their own security rather than a borough-wide charge being enforced.

He told the Standard: "We have not had any trouble here in seven years of trading. We are a family business. We have a discerning clientele.

"I do not think we should be expected to pay for the additional security. We are not open late through the week. The bar staff are able to challenge people - if people.....
Superintendent Steve Deehan from Islington Police said even licensed premises which were not considered crime hot spots should be required to pay the levy because their businesses contributed to the overall workload for police.

He said: "We want a vibrant night time economy. It is about creating better efficiency. We are one of the smallest boroughs but we have the largest number of licensed premises.”

So what powers do these security guards have? If they have the power to detain someone on a public road does this signal the slide towards the privatisation of the police? The questions this raises are numerous, from quality of background checks, to quality of training, powers, accountability etc etc

Rather than use the levy to pay for private security guards, why doesn't the council put it towards funding more PCSO's?

The amount collected, £400,000 would pay for 8 PCSO's at a salary of £25K. At least the PCSO's would have other powers as well.

Superintendent Steve Deehan from Islington Police said even licensed premises which were not considered crime hot spots should be required to pay the levy because their businesses contributed to the overall workload for police.

He said: "We want a vibrant night time economy. It is about creating better efficiency. We are one of the smallest boroughs but we have the largest number of licensed premises

I can't believe that from Islington Police - the Supt seems to be acquiescing with this whole Security Guards scheme, he even says licensed premises which are not considered crime hot spots should be required to pay the levy because their businesses contribute to the overall workload for police!

The overall workload for Police? Does he have enough resources to handle that? Or Not?

Superintendent Steve Deehan from Islington Police said even licensed premises which were not considered crime hot spots should be required to pay the levy because their businesses contributed to the overall workload for police.

He said: "We want a vibrant night time economy. It is about creating better efficiency. We are one of the smallest boroughs but we have the largest number of licensed premises

I can't believe that from Islington Police - the Supt seems to be acquiescing with this whole Security Guards scheme, he even says licensed premises which are not considered crime hot spots should be required to pay the levy because their businesses contribute to the overall workload for police!

The overall workload for Police? Does he have enough resources to handle that? Or Not?

Do they not already pay a levy?

When I ran a business I paid a levy for the Police (and other stuff) called council tax, business rates, tax on profits, VAT, and duty? Eery pound that went in the till the government took over 25p.